Guji
Guji (Oromo: Godina Gujii) is a zone in Oromia Region of Ethiopia. Guji is named after a tribe of the Oromo people. Guji is bordered on the south by Borena, on the west by the Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples Region, on the north by the Ganale Dorya River which separates it from Bale and on the east by the Somali Region. The highest point in this zone is Mount Dara Tiniro. Cities and major towns in this Zone include its administrative center, Nagele, Shakiso Bore, Dila Adola.
The Guji Zone was created in September 2002, when the upland woredas of the Borena Zone were split apart to create it.[1]
Arsi
Arsi (Gololcha Arsi or Arssi) is one of the zones of the Oromia Region in Ethiopia. Arsi is also the name of a former province. Both the Zone and the former province are named after a subgroup of the Oromo, who inhabit both.
Arsi is bordered on the south by Bale, on the southwest by the West Arsi Zone, on the northwest by East Shewa, on the north by the Afar Region and on the east by West Hararghe. The highest point in Arsi is Mount Chilalo; other notable mountains in this zone include Mount Kaka and Mount Gugu. The administrative centre of this zone is in Asella; other towns in this zone include Abomsa, Assasa, Bokoji, Sagure, Kersa, Dhera, Etaya, Arsi Robe, Huruta etc. Some woredas at the southern part of zone were separated from Arsi zone to create West Arsi Zone
Bale
Bale (Oromo: Baale) is one of the zones in the Oromia Region of Ethiopia. Bale is named for the former Sultanate of Bale, which was in approximately the same area.
Bale is bordered on the south by the Ganale Dorya River which separates it from Guji, on the west by the West Arsi Zone, on the north by Arsi, on the northeast by the Shebelle River which separates it from West Hararghe and East Hararghe, and on the east by the Somali Region.
Borena
Borena (Oromo: Boorana) is one of the zones of the Oromia Region of Ethiopia. Borena is named after a tribe of the Oromo people. Borena is bordered on the south by Kenya, on the west by the Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples Region, on the north by West Guji and Guji and on the east by Dawa Zone Somali Region. The highest point in this zone is Mount Dara Tiniro. Cities and major towns in this Zone include Negele Borana, Moyale, Yabelo, Dubuluk, Mega, Millami, Surupa and Bakke.
Arba minch
Arba Minch received its name for the abundant local springs which produce a groundwater forest. Located at the base of the western side of the Great Rift Valley, Arba Minch consists of the uptown administrative centre of Shecha and 4 kilometers away the downtown commercial and residential areas of Sikela, which are connected by a paved road.[3] On the eastern side of Sikela is the gate to Nechisar National Park, which covers the isthmus between Lake Abaya to the north and Lake Chamo to the south.[4] Buses and taxis connect the uptown and downtown parts; both parts have schools.[5] Kulfo River flows through the town, and drains into Lake Chamo
Finfine
Finfinne[4] (Oromo: Finfinne “natural spring”),Addis Ababa (Amharic: አዲስ አበባ, Addis Abäba IPA: [adˈdis ˈabəba] (
listen), “new flower”), also known as Finfinne[4] (Oromo: Finfinne “natural spring”), is the capital and largest city of Ethiopia.[5] According to the 2007 census, the city has a population of 2,739,551 inhabitants.[2] As a chartered city, Addis Ababa also serves as the capital city of the Oromia Region.[6] It is where the African Union is headquartered and where its predecessor the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) was based. It also hosts the headquarters of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), as well as various other continental and international organisations. Addis Ababa is therefore often referred to as “the political capital of Africa” for its historical, diplomatic and political significance for the continent.
Harar
Harar is the capital of the East Hararghe Zone and the capital of the Harari Region of Ethiopia.[3] The city is located on a hilltop in the eastern extension of the Oromia, about five hundred kilometers from the national capital Addis Ababa at an elevation of 1,885 metres (6,184 ft). Based on figures from the Central Statistical Agency in 2005, Harar had an estimated total population of 122,000, of whom 60,000 were male and 62,000 were female.[4] According to the census of 1994, on which this estimate is based, the city had a population of 76,378.
Hararghe
East Hararghe (Oromo: Harargee Bahaa) is one of the Zones of the Region of Oromia. East Hararge takes its name from the former province of Hararghe. East Hararge is bordered on the southwest by Bale, on the west by West Hararghe Zone, on the north by Diredhawa and on the north and east by the Somali Region. The Harari Region is an enclave inside this zone. The Administrative center of this zone is Harar.
Towns and cities in East Harerge include Deder, Haramaya, Awaday, Babille, Chinaksen and Funyan Bira. Its highest point is Gara Muleta. Local landmarks include the Harar Wildlife Sanctuary and Haramaya University.
The Central Statistical Agency (CSA) reported that 3,654.00 tons of coffee were produced in East Hararge in the year ending in 2005, based on inspection records from the Ethiopian Coffee and Tea authority. This represents 3.17% of the Region’s output and 1.6% of Ethiopia’s total output.[1]
Ilu Aba Boru
Illubabor (or Illu Ababora, Illu Aba Bora) is one of the zones of the Oromia Region of Ethiopia. Illubabora is named for the former province Illubabor. It is bordered on the south by the Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples Region, on the southwest by the Gambela Region, on the west by Kelem Welega Zone, on the north by West Welega Zone, and Benishangul-Gumuz Region, on the northwest by East Welega Zone, and on the east by Jimma. Towns and cities in Illubabora include Bedele, Gore and Metu.
The Central Statistical Agency (CSA) reported that 14,855 tons of coffee were produced in this zone in the year ending in 2005, based on inspection records from the Ethiopian Coffee and Tea authority. This represents 12.9% of the Region’s output and 6.5% of Ethiopia’s total output.[1]
Jimma
Jimma (Oromo: Jimma also spelled Jimmaa, is the largest city in southwestern Oromia Region in Ethiopia. It is a special zone of the Oromia Region and is surrounded by Jimma Zone. It has a latitude and longitude of 7°40′N 36°50′E. The town was the capital of Kaffa Province until the province was dissolved. Prior to the 2007 census, Jimma was reorganized administratively as a special Zone.
Herbert S. Lewis states that in the early 1960s it was “the greatest market in all of south-western Ethiopia. On a good day in the dry season it attracts up to thirty thousand people. Following the death of Abba Jifar II of Jimma, Emperor Haile Selassie seized the opportunity to annex Jimma. In 1932, the Kingdom of Jimma was formally absorbed into Ethiopia. During the reorganization of the provinces in 1942, Jimma vanished into Kaffa Province.”[1]
What is now Jimma’s northern suburb of Jiren was the capital of a large Kaffa province until the overthrow of the feudal system. Originally named Hirmata, the city owed its importance in the 19th century to being located on the caravan route between Shewa and the Kingdom of Kaffa, as well as being only six miles from the palace of the king of Jimma.
According to Donald Levine, in the early 19th century the market attracted thousands of people from neighboring regions: “Amhara from Gojjam and Shoa, Oromo from all the Gibe Kingdoms and numerous representatives of the Lacustrine and Omotic groups, including Timbaro, Qabena, Kefa, Janjero, Welamo, Konta and several others”.[2]
Karayu
The Karayu , which are part of the ethnic Oromo , living east of Ethiopia, in the Awash Valley.
The Karayu are among the last Oromo – with Borena and the Guji Kamise – to maintain their pastoral lifestyle . As such, they are considered by many Oromo as guardians of traditional culture.
Traditional religion is Karayu waaqeffata , a monotheistic religion based on a belief in a supreme being called Waaqa . This religion is closely linked to nature. The Oromo and the Waaqa pray in sacred sites such as lakes, water points, the peaks of some mountains but also with specific tree species, such as odaa without making animists .
The Karayu also participate in the gada system , an African form of ancient and complex democracy , based on generational groups that alternate power every eight years . A gada cycle lasts 40 years. The gada is not only a political system but also a social institution that governs the life of the Oromo from birth to death.
Today Karayu struggling to maintain their traditional way of life and face difficulties because they are relatively unknown group , both in Ethiopia and abroad.
Kellem Wollega
Kelem Wollega is Dhati controlled Hunting Area is found in Kelem Wollega zone of Gawo Kebe Woreda in Aroji Wedo district at about 620kms from Finfinnee, 80kms from zonal town Dembi Dolo and at about 30kms from Gawo Kebe Woreda.
In this park there are viable populations of flora and Fauna which consists of big game animals like Buffalo, Hippopotamus, Defarsa Waterbuck, common bushbuck, Bhor Reedbuck, and others and endemic species of Birds. There is large population of Buffalo and Hippopotamus whose physical appearance is larger than others in the country.
Dhati Park has a unique ecosystem with rich Biodiversity and it is more intact and attained many species of mammals and birds. There is extinction of Elephant in this park since there is peak having the name Gara Arba Means Elephants Hill.
Absence of developed infrastructure and tourist facilities are observed in this area. In respect of this it is very fascinating and wonderful natural attraction of the region
Tourist activities
- Big wildlife expedition
- Landscape, hiking, trekking and jungle adventures
- Birds watching
- Camping
- River rafting- the area owns large rivers, so it an ideal site to enjoy water adventures
Rift Valley
The Great Rift Valley lies between the Ethiopian Plateau to the north and the Somalia Plateau to the south.[1] The rift developed as the Nubian and Somali plates began to separate during the Miocene Period along the East African rift system. Rift initiation was asynchronous along the Ethiopian rift valley: deformation began around 18 million years ago at the south end, around 11 million years ago close to the Afar depression and probably around 6-8 million years ago in the central sector.[2] The rift is extending in an ESE-WNW direction at about 5–7 millimetres (0.20–0.28 inches) annually.[3]
The Ethiopian rift valley is about 80 kilometres (50 mi) wide and bordered on both margins by large, discontinuous normal faults that give rise to major tectonic escarpments separating the rift floor from the surrounding plateaus. These faults are now thought to be inactive at the northern rift valley termination, whereas to the south they are still tectonically and seismically active.[4][5] The rift floor is cut by a series of smaller en echelon, right-stepping, rift basins of Quaternary to recent age. These basins are about 20 kilometres (12 mi) wide and 60 kilometres (37 mi) long. In the northern part of the rift, extension within the valley is now thought to be mainly along these faulted and magmatically active segments. These segments are considered to be developing mid ocean ridge spreading centers.[6][7][8]
Shawa
West Shewa (Amharic: ምዕራብ ሸዋ; Oromo: Shawaa Lixaa/Dhihaa) is one of the zones of the Oromia Region in Ethiopia. This zone takes its name from the kingdom or former province of Shewa. West Shewa is bordered on the south by the Southwest Shewa Zone and the Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples Region, on the southwest by Jimma, on the west by East Welega, on the northwest by Horo Gudru Welega, on the northeast by North Shewa, and on the east by Oromia Special Zone Surrounding Finfinne. Its highest point is Mount Wanchi (3386 meters); other notable peaks include Mount Menagesha and Mount Wachacha. Towns and cities in West Shewa include Ambo.
Between 2002 and 2005, a number of woredas were separated from West Shewa to create South West Shewa Zone.
Hawasa
Hawassa (Amharic: አዋሳ; ʾäwasa, also spelled Awassa or Awasa) is a city in Ethiopia, on the shores of Lake Awassa in the Great Rift Valley. It is 273 km (170 mi) south of Addis Ababa via Bishoftu, 130 km (81 mi) east of Sodo, and 75 km (47 mi) north of Dilla. The town serves as the capital of the Sidama Region. It lies on the Trans-African Highway 4 Cairo–Cape Town and has a latitude and longitude of 7°3′N 38°28′ECoordinates: 7°3′N 38°28′E and an elevation of 1,708 meters (5,604 ft) above sea level. Its name comes from a Sidamic word meaning “wide body of water”.
The city is home to Hawassa University (which includes Wondo Genet College of Forestry and Natural Resources, an Agricultural College, the Main Campus, and a Health Sciences College), Awasa Adventist College, and a major market. The city is served by Awasa Airport (ICAO code HALA, IATA AWA), opened in 1988. Postal service is provided by the main branch; electricity and telephone service are also available.[3] Important local attractions include the St. Gabriel Church and the Awassa Kenema Stadium. Fishing is a major local industry.
Hawassa was capital of the former Sidamo Province from about 1978 until the province was abolished with the adoption of the 1995 Constitution. It then became the capital of the Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples’ Region. When the Sidama Region was formed in June 2020, the city became part of that region. Hawassa currently serves as the capital of both the Sidama Region and the Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples’ Region. Hawassa will continue to serve as the seat of government of the Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples’ Region for two national electoral cycles, after which the regional government will move to a city within the region’s boundaries.[4]
West shawa
Wenchi Crater Lake is the picturesque lake situated about 32kilometres south west of Ambo on the road to Waliso nearly half way between the two towns. Coming from Ambo or from Waliso to Wanchi Crater Lake the gravel road ascends mountain slopes almost to the rim of the crater where the height reaches 3386m at a peak. Here green oasis, (when compared to surrounding area) comes to view.
Touristic appeal of the crater mainly steamed from its fantastic beauty. Standing on the rim of the crater you will be watching unique shaped and crystal clear water lying in deep basin and circular slops covered with greenery alpine vegetation that largely contributed for its dramatic scenery. In addition to these, when you see the village on peninsula, the small island with monastery, the houses and gardens on the lake side it seems that crater not to be touched by modern world.
The Crater Lake is endowed with forest of more than 15 major tree species and many other alpine type vegetation, many aquatic and terrestrial bird species and some mammals, of which calobus monkey frequently seen. In the hot spring valley, one can observe natural offers like hot and cold mineral springs (being used by local people for cure of illness): the waterfall gushing out just from the foot of the hill and many other eye-catching scene.
Wollega
West Welega Zone (Oromo: Wallagga Lixaa; Amharic: ምዕራብ ወለጋ) is a region in the western part of Oromia Region, Ethiopia. This zone is named after the former province of Welega, whose western part lay in the area West Welega now occupies.
West Wellega is bordered on the west by Kelam Welega Zone, on the north by the Benishangul-Gumuz Region, on the east for a short space by East Welega, and on the southeast by Illubabor. Its highest point is Mount Welel. Towns and cities in West Welega include Dembidolo, Gimbi, Mendi, and Nejo.
The Central Statistical Agency (CSA) reported that 40,606 tons of coffee were produced in West and East Welega combined in the year ending in 2005, based on inspection records from the Ethiopian Coffee and Tea authority. This represents 35.3% of the Region’s output and 17.9% of Ethiopia’s total output.[1]
Dire Dawa
Dire Dawa, city, east-central Ethiopia, located on the eastern edge of the East African Rift Valley, 30 miles (48 km) northwest of Harer. It lies at the intersection of roads from Addis Ababa, Harer, and Djibouti and has an airport. Dire Dawa, for long a caravan centre, developed as the chief outlet for Harer trade after 1904, when it became the terminus of the railroad from the port of Djibouti (since extended to Addis Ababa). The Dachatu River, whose bed can be crossed on foot during the dry season, divides the city into modern and old quarters. The former, built by the French, contains a Coptic church and a royal palace. Within the old quarter are a mosque and a large Muslim cemetery. Grain is imported from the highlands to the south because the dry fields around Dire Dawa (which means “empty plain”) yield little to cultivation. The city has railway workshops, textile and cement factories, and coffee- and meat-canning plants and trades in coffee and hides. Most of its inhabitants are Oromo, Somali, or Amhara people. Nearby are caves decorated with prehistoric paintings. Pop. (2007) 342,827.